Elmhurst Hospital Family Room Honors Our Hospital Heroes

March may be best known for its unpredictable weather, but at Ronald McDonald House New York, it’s a time of deep gratitude and recognition. As part of National Doctors Week and National Child Life Month—and a month where we also celebrate our doctors, nurses, and child life specialists—our team at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens set out to say a heartfelt thank you to the professionals who partner with us every day to care for families and children in medical crisis.

These hospital heroes are the reason we’re able to do what we do.

At RMH-NY, our Family Rooms are an extension of our House’s mission: to support families as their children receive critical care. Tucked inside three of New York City’s public hospitals—Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, Kings County in Brooklyn, Metropolitan Hospital in East Harlem, and one private hospital, Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx—each Family Room serves as a safe haven. These comforting spaces provide caregivers with a place to rest, recharge, and grab a warm meal just steps from their child’s bedside.

But none of this happens in isolation. Our work is only possible because of the compassionate and collaborative doctors, social workers, nurses, and child life specialists who guide and support families every step of the way.

That’s why the Elmhurst Family Room team, Jen and Feng, made it their mission to bring a little joy into the lives of the staff who give so much of themselves every day.

Feng discovered a standout pizza place in Brooklyn and brought it all the way to Queens for a Family Room celebration with the Elmhurst doctors. For an hour and a half, the Family Room was transformed into a joyful retreat where hospital staff could simply relax, reconnect with colleagues, and be treated to good food and great company.

There were chilled beverages, friendly competition (a lively round of Bulls-Eye Ball—shout out to Dr. Patil for his championship win!), and perhaps most importantly, a rare chance for staff to share an actual lunch break together.

Dr. Pintiliano and Dr. Patil both spoke about how meaningful this moment was for their team. Time to slow down and connect is a rare gift in the world of hospital care, and this small celebration meant more than words could capture.

Alongside the pizza party, our Elmhurst Family Room team surprised the hospital’s social workers and child life specialists with thoughtfully assembled gift bags—each filled with wellness items and a thank-you note. These small tokens were a symbol of our immense appreciation for the tireless work they do to support children and families throughout their medical journeys.

Whether it’s coordinating care, offering emotional support, or helping a child understand a difficult diagnosis, these professionals carry an enormous emotional load. We are in awe of their resilience, and grateful for the many ways they work with us to ensure that families feel seen, supported, and loved.

Events like this don’t happen without helping hands, and volunteer Manishi went above and beyond to make everyone feel special. Throughout the celebration, she offered up cappuccinos, teas, hot chocolate, and good old-fashioned kindness to everyone in the room. Her attentiveness helped elevate the experience and made every guest feel genuinely cared for.

Volunteers like Manishi are part of the heartbeat of Ronald McDonald House New York. They help us create moments of joy in the midst of uncertainty—and in this case, they helped our Elmhurst Family Room team give back to those who give everything.

How you can volunteer at a Ronald McDonald Family Room like Manishi and make more amazing events like this happen.

If you are non-English speaking person or speak multiple languages and are looking for volunteer opportunities, this might be the perfect opportunity. Many of our family rooms support non-English speaking caregivers and families. Inquire about those opportunities on our website as well.

March might mark a designated time to honor social workers and healthcare professionals, but at Ronald McDonald House New York, our gratitude for these individuals knows no season.

Each doctor, nurse, social worker, and child life specialist we partner with plays a vital role in the mission to deliver health equity and compassionate care to every child and family. They are not just colleagues—they are partners in hope and humanity.

As RMH-NY continues to expand our impact across the five boroughs, including through our Family Rooms in Elmhurst, at Kings County Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital, and Montefiore Einstein Medical Center, we do so alongside the incredible staffs within NYC Health + Hospitals and Montefiore Einstein healthcare systems. These individuals are on the front lines with us, ensuring no family has to face a child’s medical crisis alone.

So, from all of us at Ronald McDonald House New York: thank you for your care, your compassion, and your commitment. You make our work possible—and we are endlessly grateful.